James Bond Turns Fifty Today !

Daniel Craig (James Bond) in ‘Skyfall

As the world celebrates the 50th anniversary of James Bond’s arrival on the silver screen it becomes important to revisit the phenomenon called Bond. In 1962 on this day the first James Bond film, Dr. No was released and since then the world is celebrating the day as ‘James Bond Day’. Within a few weeks the 23rd official Bond film starring Daniel Craig will be released globally.

Sean Connery was the first actor who played Bond and played the role six times in his life. Actor Roger Moore played Bond seven times, from 1973’s Live and Let Die to 1985’s A View to a Kill.

Timothy Dalton played 007 twice, in 1987’s The Living Daylights and 1989’s Licence to Kill. Pierce Brosnan stepped into Bond shoes in 1995 with Golden Eye, and played the role four times, until ‘Die Another Day’ which was released in 2002

Daniel Craig became the first blonde haired actor to play 007 in 2006 with Casino Royale. This year’s Bond release “Skyfall is Daniel Craig’s third Bond film.

James Bond is one of the iconic fictitious characters of modern era. He is the symbol modern western culture. He likes his martinis shaken, not stirred, and introduces himself as “Bond … James Bond”. But this year Bond will be seen drinking beer which is a departure from the trend.

Ever since Dr No released in 1962 Bond movies have been watched by billions in the world. It is phenomenon which is still going strong even after 50 years of its existence.